Electrolytic-decomposition tank



(No Model.) I

I. L. ROBERTS.

ELECTROLYTIC DECOMPOSITION TANK. No. 522,619, Patented July 10, 1894.

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ISAIAH L. ROBERTS, OEBROOK LYN, NEW YORK.

ELECTROLYTtC-DECOMPOSITION TANK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 522,61 9, dated July10, 1894.

Applicationfiled November 25, 1891. Renewed January 29; 1894- Serial No.498,399- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAIAH L. ROBERTS, a

citizen of theUnited States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county ofKings and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Electrolytic-Decomposition Tanks, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had tothe drawings accompanying andforming apart of the same.

This invention is an improvement in tanks for the electrolyticdecomposition of metallic salts, but more particularly for use inconnectlon with a particular apparatus designed by me for this purpose,the character of which maybe thus generally described. The vat orreceptacle for containing the solution to be decomposed is made of ironor like metal,in order that it may serve also as the cathode of thecouple. Within this vat is suspended a carbon anode separated from thecathode by a mass Of pulverized anthracite coal contained in a bag orother receptacle and packed in around the anode, the purpose of the coalbeing to form an electrolytic diaphragm or partition between the twoelectrodes. Various other electrodes and many forms of electrolyticpartitionsmay be used and difierent appliances and constructions adoptedfor carryingoff the gases generated at the anode or acids resulting fromimpuritiesand chemical combinations inthe coal dust, but the essentialfeature, so far as this invention is concerned, is the use in anapparatus of this kind of an anode in an iron cathode tank.

In practice it has been found convenient to employ a number of anodes inone large cathode tank, as the construction of a separate iron tank foreach anode involves great expense and waste of material, but when anumber of anodes are suspended or supported in one tank, the distancebetween some of them and the walls of the tank increases the internalresistance of these couples to such an extent as to impair theirefficiency. This I avoid by dividing up the interior space in the maintank into a number of vertical compartments by means of angle ironplates set on end.- Each of such compartments contains an anode, andcommunication for the circulation of solution is maintained between allof them through the joints or spaces left between the several plates.

This improvement is shown in detail in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan View of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is avertical section on line ale-00, of Fig. 1.

A is the usual cathode tank or vat of iron or suitable material.

B, B, are angle plates of the same material placed on end in any desiredmanner to divide the main tank or vat up into small compartments orcells. These plates are independent and preferably placed in the tankwithout connections-at least no permanent connections. For the outercompartments the main vat A forms,in part, the walls, while the walls ofthe inner compartmentsare composed en tirely of the angle plates.

O, O, are the anodes or bags containing the same. These are connected toone of the main wires D, while a binding post E, on the tank A, servesto connect all the'cathode surfaces to the other wire F. Thisarrangement effects a great saving in material and cost, and makesavailable large rectangular tanks which are the easiest and cheapest tomake 'andmost economical to use.-

Wlfat I claim is- 1. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination witha cathode or conducting vat or tank, of sheets or plates of conductingmaterial placed therein in electrical connection with the tank anddividing said tank into vertical communicating compartments, and ananode supported in each cathode compartment, as set forth.

2. The combination, with a cathode or iron Vat or tank, of iron angleplates set on end therein in electrical connection with the tank, anddividing said tank into a number of small communicating anodecompartments, and an anode contained in each of said compartments, asset'forth.

ISAIAH L. ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

RO T. F. GAYLORD, H PARKER W. PAGE. I v, w.

